High River recovery

The provincial state of emergency ends Friday, but Redford said the town will still be under a local state of emergency as it rebuilds.

Much work is still needed, but the local government can now lead the effort, she said.

"I'm very confident moving forward that tomorrow morning, people can continue to know that all the systems are in place that are going to ensure that everything carries on as effectively as it has before."

Rebuilding underway

The Town of High River was also given $50 million to keep essential services up and running.

Members are currently helping companies collect the garbage removed from homes, which litters the streets of the community. Volunteers are asked to report to the High River rodeo grounds to check in and receive a safety orientation.

Insurance apology

Major insurance companies continue to have a change of heart, after earlier rejecting residential flood claims.

The latest, AMA Insurance, took out a full-page newspaper ad today to apologize to its customers. It says it is reversing some of its claim decisions.

High River homeowner Deborah Spence is relieved AMA Insurance has softened its stance. Her family learned yesterday afternoon that the company had reconsidered and will now cover them for damage caused by a sewer backup.

"It's an absolute disaster that … the province has never seen the likes of," she said. "That was the basis on which they took a closer look and have approved us for sewer backup."

Provincial financial support

The province committed an initial $1 billion to support the recovery efforts and provide financial support to municipalities and First Nations that experienced uninsurable infrastructure damage. That money is also to cover costs incurred for emergency operations and response.

There were 28 local states of emergency in place at the height of the flood. That number has now dropped to six.

The province says disaster recovery program centres, which opened rapidly in communities across southern Alberta after the flood devastation, will remain open to address the needs of every flood victim.

The disaster recovery centres in High River located at the Welcome Centre at the High River rodeo grounds and Foothills Youth Foundation are open until July 16.